Batman: The Al Ghul Family Tree, Explained (2024)

In the world of DC and Batman, there is always an emphasis on the family royalty of the Waynes. Essentially,Bruce Wayne'sparents (Martha and Thomas) built Gotham, and their massive fortune gave way to the creation of Batman. However, there is another even greaterfamily that exists in the world of The Caped Crusader.

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It all begins with one of Batman's greatest foes, Ra's Al Ghul. Through the years, the Al Ghul family has grown in size and lethality, Ras is not the only powerful assassin in the ranks of League of Assassins, this is the Al Ghul family tree, explained.

8 The Sensei

The family tree does not start with Ra's, as thestorieshave suggested for many years in the Batman comics. Sensei is the first in the lineage of the assassin family. Neal Adams created Sensei in 1968, but the character was only known to have only been a high-ranking member of the League of Assassins. It was not until the storyline, Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul, that the continuity revealed Sensei as being the ages-old father of Ra's.

7 Ra's al Ghul

The son of Sensei, and the most notable of the Al Ghul family, is Ra's al Ghul. The most prolific leader of the League of Assassins, and one of the longest-lasting villains that Batman and DC have ever seen. Ra's is seemingly immortal as he wields the power of the Lazarus pit to constantly revive and replenish his life force.

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Ra's has been a mainstay in the rogue's gallery of Batman's greatest foes, constantly transcending comics and making appearances in many other comic mediums. Notably played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.

6 Dusan al Ghul

There is only one known son to Ra's, and that is Dusan al Ghul, also known as the "the White Ghost". Dusan is yet another in the long lineage of assassins, having been born as a way for Ra's to strengthen his hold on some "long-extinct" peoples. Dusan is the oldest of the children that were born to Ra's, and because he was born as an albino, Dusancould never be deemed worthy enough to take over the family business. Dusan also made an appearance in the Batman: Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul storyline, where he sacrificed himself so that Ra's could be reborn again.

5 Nyssa Raatko

Nyssa Raatko, also known as Nyssa al Ghul, is the eldest daughter of Ra's al Ghul, and the half-sister of Talia al Ghul (more on her next). When Ra's travels took him through the lands of Russia, Ra's would breed a love child, Nyssa. Nyssa is a common enemy of Batman and has been known to also hold the power of one of the last remaining Lazarus pits, allowing her to remain healed and living in current times. Nyssa has also appeared in more than the comics, being played by Katrina Law in Arrow.

4 Talia al Ghul

The most notable child of Ra's al Ghul is his daughter, Talia al Ghul. Talia has been a constant thorn in the side of Batman, also having developed a tumultuous relationship with The Dark Knight. Talia was also a child of the League of Assassins but ultimately decides to choose Bruce over the league, thus infuriating Ra's.

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That choice is made as Bruce and Talia would ultimately have a child together, Damien Wayne. Oddly enough, Talia is born of a woman who is named Melisande, who met Ra's at Woodstock, of all places. Ra's found his way to being a hippie at one point.

3 Damien Wayne

See Also

Batman: What Is Damian Wayne's True Origin?

Damien Wayne, also known as Damien al Ghul, is the child of Bruce and Talia and grandson of Ra's Al Ghul. Because of Damien being born to the al Ghul family, Ra's naturally saw the talent that ability that Damien possessed. Damien was meant to be the next Demon's Head or leader of the League of Assasins, as Ra's expected the boy to become the next "Alexander the Great", but he was swayed into joining Batman. Batman taught Damien to calm his aggressive nature and to better hone his skills, thus leading to Damien becoming Robin. Damien was also a member of the Demon's Fist, a highly-skilled unit within the League of Assassins.

2 Mara al Ghul

The newcomer to the al Ghul family is Mara. Mara al Ghul is the daughter of the late Dusan al Ghul, cousin to Damien, and grandaughter of Ra' al Ghul. Mara has been recently introduced in the Teen Titans storylines in2016. She exists to be the enemy of Damien Wayne, as she was also trained by the League of Assassins. Mara is also a member and the leader of the Demon's Fist and is known to be a great artist. Mara also did not contract the condition of albinism from her father. Mara hates Damien after a training session between the two left Mara with a scar across her right eye.

1 Athanasia al Ghul

Athanasia al Ghul aka Athanasia Wayne is the other secret daughter of Bruce and Talia, and granddaughter of Ra's. Athanasia has only appeared in the Injustice 2 prequels comics and has not year appeared in the prime earth continuity. Athanasia was kept a secret to Bruce and Damien and trained through the League of Assassins, by Talia. It is revealed after breaking Damien out of prison, that Athanasia is Damien's sister. She is seemingly killed by an explosion caused by El Diablo.

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